Back to school items for teachers

Back to school items for teachers

The best back-to-school items for teachers are those that support planning, routines, behaviour, organisation and clear teaching from the first week of term. Core resources should be durable, accessible and easy to use during a busy school day. Useful choices reduce avoidable teacher angst, help pupils settle quickly and support effective classroom practice. Well-chosen extras can also improve presentation, flexibility, comfort or pupil engagement without adding to unnecessary classroom clutter.

This list brings together practical classroom essentials and carefully chosen wishlist items for teachers across EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4 and sixth form. It covers storage, stationery, display materials, classroom management resources, presentation equipment, technology upgrades and staffroom extras. Each item is selected to support organisation, clear routines, effective teaching and engaging learning spaces at the start of term and beyond.

Back to school items teachers – our recommendations

Back to school items for preschool, nursery and EYFS teachers

XupZip 2-in-1 Large Freezer Bags

Sensory resources, loose parts and craft materials are much easier to manage when small items can be grouped and seen quickly. This 30-pack of XupZip resealable plastic freezer bags keeps the useful storage idea from the original copy, with zip closure, leak-resistant design and an expandable bottom for separating classroom bits, spare clothes, outdoor-learning finds or small-world resources.

LEGO Iconic Storage Head Large

Construction-area pieces have a habit of vanishing into the wrong trays by the end of the day. This large Room Copenhagen LEGO storage head has an 8.5 litre capacity, stackable design and lift-off lid, making it a playful but practical choice for EYFS and KS1 LEGO bricks, small-world figures, counting pieces or other loose classroom resources.

Self-Adhesive Hooks

Nursery, EYFS and primary classrooms often need extra hanging space without drilling into walls or doors. This black 4-pack of pickpiff self-adhesive metal hooks includes double-sided adhesive tapes and has a double-hook design, giving teachers a simple option for lanyards, aprons, headphones, visual timetable pieces, spare bags or small role-play items.

G4GADGET 200 Paper Plates

First-week craft, topic displays and quick settling activities can use up plain surfaces fast. This G4GADGET pack contains 200 white paper plates, 23cm or 9 inches across, giving EYFS and KS1 teachers a straightforward supply for masks, sorting tasks, phonics games, number work, transient art and simple drawing activities.

BIC Kids Kid Couleur Felt Tip Colouring Pens

Mark making, drawing and early writing tasks work better when children have enough colours to share without constant swapping. This cardboard wallet contains 24 assorted BIC Kids Kid Couleur felt tip pens with washable, water-based ink and round tips, making it useful for Reception and KS1 art tables, labels, wet play and small-group creative work.

Desktop Brass Gong

A clear sound cue can help a busy early years room move into storytime, tidy-up time or group work without raised voices. This BigTree desktop gong includes a mallet and is listed with alloy steel and wood materials, so it is best treated as an adult-managed transition signal or occasional sound-effect prop rather than a shared classroom toy.

Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Toddler Water Table

Outdoor water play is easier to organise when several children can gather around one shared activity. This Step2 Rain Showers table has a two-level design and comes with a 13-piece accessory set including a large bucket, cups, water squirters, a strainer, spinning pieces and maze pieces for supervised nursery and EYFS pouring, splashing and turn-taking.

Learning Resources Sensory Number Trays

Early maths can feel more concrete when children trace, count and handle numbers rather than only looking at them on paper. This Learning Resources set includes double-sided sensory number trays for numbers 1-10, with textured tracing paths on one side and space for counting activities on the other, plus a Getting Started Guide.

Pritt Glue Stick 43g Pack of 5

Collage, junk modelling and display work can quickly drain a shared craft supply box. The linked Pritt product is a pack of five 43g glue sticks for paper, cardboard, felt, photos and cotton, with a solvent-free formula made with 97% natural ingredients including water and glue that can be washed out at low temperatures.

Back to school items for KS1 teachers

Amazon Basics Wood-Cased HB Pencils

Daily handwriting, maths and drawing are easier to manage when there is a ready supply of sharpened pencils. This Amazon Basics pack contains 30 wood-cased HB pencils with eraser tips, making it a practical KS1 classroom stock item for pencil pots, morning tasks, phonics work and pupils who need a quick replacement during the school day.

Nicpro Dry Erase Mini Whiteboards

Whole-class response work is much smoother when every child can write, show and wipe without using another sheet of paper. This Nicpro set includes 30 double-sided dry erase lapboards, 30 black water-based pens and 30 erasers, giving KS1 teachers a full-class resource for phonics, spelling, number bonds, sentence work and quick checks for understanding.

STAEDTLER 351 WP6-1 Lumocolor Whiteboard Marker Bullet Tip

Mini-whiteboard routines only work well when the pens write clearly and wipe away properly. This pack of six STAEDTLER Lumocolor bullet-tip whiteboard markers comes in assorted colours and is designed for dry-wipe use on whiteboards, glass and porcelain, making it useful for KS1 phonics, number work, sentence practice and whole-class answers.

Reward Jar with Star Tokens

Shared class targets can work well in KS1 when pupils can see progress building over time. This dinosaur-themed reward jar with star tokens keeps the original classroom-management idea, giving teachers a visible resource for tidy-up routines, table points, kindness spotting or group goals without relying entirely on individual sticker charts.

edxeducation Colour Tiles Mini Jar

Counting, sorting and pattern work can feel more concrete when children can move pieces around by hand. This edxeducation mini jar contains 100 colourful 2.5cm square tiles for early maths activities, including sorting by colour, making patterns, exploring simple measurement ideas and setting up small-group KS1 problem-solving tasks.

Humble Crew Large Wooden Toy Shelf Storage Organiser

Shared resources are easier for KS1 pupils to find and return when storage is open and clearly divided. This Humble Crew organiser has a tiered shelf design with nine removable plastic bins, including six standard and three large bins, giving classrooms a visible storage option for reading baskets, construction pieces, maths resources, games, books or craft supplies.

VELCRO Brand Heavy Duty Stick On Strips

Interactive displays and visual routines are easier to refresh when cards can be moved rather than replaced. This white VELCRO Brand pack contains two heavy-duty stick-on strips, each 50mm x 100mm, with no-tool adhesive fitting for smooth surfaces. KS1 teachers can use them for choice boards, timetable pieces, reusable prompts and display resources.

IKEA Frakta Blue Large Bags Pack of 5

Moving classroom resources around school is less awkward when teachers have large, foldable bags ready to use. This IKEA Frakta set includes five blue polypropylene bags with handles and a listed 25kg load capacity, making them useful for KS1 display materials, reading books, costumes, PE kit, donations, topic resources and end-of-term clear-outs.

Back to school items for KS2 teachers

Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch Keyboard For KS2 teachers, this wireless keyboard with built-in touchpad is a useful tech wishlist item for presentations, shared writing and modelling. It connects via Logitech’s USB receiver and has a listed 10 metre wireless range, letting staff control a connected laptop or classroom screen from elsewhere in the room. It is best described as a flexible presentation and classroom-display tool rather than a sixth-form-specific resource.

Assorted Coloured Tri-Folding Presentation Boards For KS2 teachers, tri-fold presentation boards are useful for topic displays, science investigations, art projects, book-review presentations, open afternoons and parent events. They give pupils a tidy, self-standing format for showing research, diagrams, photos and extended work. Green boards can also be used as a simple low-cost background for classroom filming or animation, provided lighting and camera setup are suitable.

Amazon Basics Portable Electric Pencil Sharpener

For KS2 teachers, an electric pencil sharpener is a small classroom luxury that saves time during art, maths, handwriting and display work. It is especially useful in busy upper-primary rooms where blunt pencils can derail a task before pupils have properly started.

Amazon Basics A4 Thermal Laminator

For KS2 teachers, a laminator is useful for reusable flashcards, visual prompts, maths games, table mats, vocabulary cards, behaviour charts and outdoor learning labels. It is a classic back-to-school resource because it helps turn printed materials into durable classroom tools.

LIORQUE Large Visual Timer

For KS2 teachers, a visual timer helps with independent work, group tasks, transitions, tidy-up time and timed challenges. It is especially useful for pupils who need clear boundaries around how long an activity will last and what needs to happen next.

Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Plus Bluetooth Speaker

For KS2 teachers, this powerful portable Bluetooth speaker is a brilliant wishlist item for music, movement, drama, assemblies, PE, outdoor learning and end-of-term events. Great sound makes any lesson more exciting as well as more audible, and it can be taken outside for use on the playground, school field and in big spaces such as the assembly hall.

Worown 12 Pack Acrylic Book Stand

For KS2 teachers, clear acrylic stands are useful for displaying class readers, topic texts, pupil recommendations, instructions, flashcards or examples of finished work. They help make classroom materials more visible without taking up much space on shelves, tables or display units.

Derwent Academy Watercolour Pencils

For KS2 teachers, watercolour pencils are useful for sketchbooks, topic illustrations, art clubs, display work and cross-curricular projects. They give pupils a way to combine drawing and paint effects without setting up full trays of paint, water pots and brushes for every session.

UHU White Tack

For KS2 teachers, white tack is useful for temporary displays, vocabulary cards, seating-plan notes, labels, posters and visual reminders. It is a simple classroom essential during the first weeks of term, when wall layouts and routines often need to be tested and changed.

HP LaserJet M209dw Wireless Black & White Printer

For KS2 teachers, a compact printer is a brilliant wishlist item for display work, pupil recognition, class jobs, reading recommendations, topic walls and visual learning prompts. It lets teachers create instant printed evidence of trips, practical work, performances and classroom achievements without waiting for central printing.

Back to school items for KS3 teachers

Helix Magnetic Blackboard and Whiteboard Metre Rule

Large diagrams, axes and timelines are easier to model when pupils can see a straight measured line from across the room. This Helix magnetic metre rule is 100cm long, made from ferromagnetic metal and has magnetic strips for use on suitable whiteboards or metal surfaces, making it useful for KS3 maths, science, design technology and geography board work.

HUE HD Pro Flexible USB Document Camera

Live modelling is much clearer when pupils can watch a teacher annotate, demonstrate or mark up work in real time. This HUE HD Pro visualiser streams in Full HD 1080p and has built-in LED lights, a microphone, manual focus, a 1cm to infinity focal range and a maximum A3 capture area, making it useful for KS3 worked examples, practical demonstrations and close-up text work.

Amazon Basics Cork Notice Board

Tutor notices, homework reminders and reading recommendations are easier to manage when pupils have one place to check. This Amazon Basics cork notice board measures 90 x 60cm, has a cork pin surface, silver aluminium frame and mounting kit, and can be installed vertically or horizontally for KS3 classroom routines, club notices, revision prompts and display information.

Rapesco T8-Lite Staple Tacker

Display-board setup is quicker when backing paper, borders and pupil work can be fixed without wrestling with a standard stapler. This Rapesco T8-Lite staple tacker is supplied with 300 type 13/6mm staples, has steel working parts, a staple viewing window and a lock-down handle, making it useful for KS3 wall displays, noticeboards and revision materials.

Avery A3 Office Paper Cutter Trimmer

Repeated resource preparation is less fiddly when worksheets, display labels and flashcards can be cut cleanly in batches. This Avery A3 trimmer is lightweight, measures 630 x 80 x 230mm and cuts up to 12 sheets of paper, with the blade enclosed in the cutter head for controlled classroom preparation by staff.

SHIDU Wireless Voice Amplifier Bluetooth Speaker 18W Waterproof

Large rooms, practical demonstrations and outdoor learning can put a strain on a teacher’s voice. This SHIDU portable voice amplifier includes a UHF wireless headset microphone, Bluetooth connectivity, 18W output, IPX5 waterproof rating and a rechargeable speaker battery listed for up to 12 hours, making it a strong KS3 wishlist item for lessons, assemblies and field activities.

Logitech R500s Laser Class 1 Presenter Bluetooth and USB/Presentation Clicker

Slide-based teaching feels less static when the teacher can move away from the laptop. This Logitech R500s presenter connects by Bluetooth or USB receiver, has three buttons, a listed 20 metre operating range and works with common presentation software including PowerPoint, Keynote, PDF, Google Slides and Prezi, making it useful for KS3 retrieval questions, images and model answers.

XPPen Deco 01 V3 Drawing Tablet

Digital annotation is easier when diagrams, equations and feedback can be written by hand rather than dragged around with a mouse. This XPPen Deco 01 V3 has a 10 x 6.25 inch working area, USB connection, eight shortcut keys, tilt support and 16,384 pressure levels, giving KS3 teachers a practical tool for live modelling on slides, PDFs and shared screens.

Back to school items for KS4 teachers

Kensington Wireless Presentation Clicker with Red Laser Pointer

GCSE lessons and revision sessions run more smoothly when teachers can move away from the computer without losing control of the slides. This Kensington wireless presenter has a red laser pointer, USB connectivity, plug-and-play setup and a listed 20m range, making it useful for modelling explanations, highlighting prompts and managing slide-based teaching in KS4 classrooms.

BIC 4 Colours Wood Effect Ballpoint Pens

Marking, annotation and live modelling are easier when one pen can switch between several ink colours. This BIC pack includes five retractable 4 Colours ballpoint pens with wood-effect barrels, medium 1.0mm points and black, blue, green and red ink options, making them useful for KS4 feedback, planners, seating plans and colour-coded notes.

Sharpie Ultra Fine Permanent Markers

Department resources stay easier to identify when labels are clear and small enough for equipment, folders and storage boxes. This pack contains two black Sharpie permanent markers with ultra-fine tips, designed for precise marks on surfaces including plastic, glass, wood, metal and cloth, making them useful for KS4 trays, revision boxes and shared classroom equipment.

Amazon Basics AA Industrial Alkaline Batteries

Small technical failures can waste lesson time when clocks, mice, microphones or department equipment run flat. This Amazon Basics pack contains 40 AA 1.5V alkaline industrial batteries with a listed five-year shelf life, making it a practical KS4 stock-cupboard item for remotes, wireless mice, headsets, radio equipment and other compatible classroom devices.

G4GADGET Academic Wall Planner

Mock exams, coursework deadlines and intervention sessions are easier to track when the year is visible at a glance. This G4GADGET A1 academic wall planner measures 85 x 58cm and covers 13 months from August 2026 to August 2027, with a non-laminated writing surface for adding KS4 revision dates, assessment points and school-year reminders.

Elgato Stream Deck MK.2

Repeated digital tasks can become less fiddly when commonly used actions sit on dedicated buttons. This Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 has 15 macro keys, USB connectivity and custom action controls for supported apps and software, making it a high-end KS4 teacher-tech wishlist item for staff who use screen sharing, media controls, lesson software or recorded teaching workflows.

Rocketbook Core Smart Reusable Notebook Meeting notes, revision planning and intervention records are easier to manage when handwritten pages can also be stored digitally. This black Rocketbook Core has 32 lined reusable pages with app scanning for cloud services and pages that wipe clean with a damp cloth when used with compatible Pilot FriXion ink. The size should be checked against the retailer listing, as “letter size” and 21 x 29.7cm are not the same standard paper size.

Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000mAh Portable Charger with Triple 100W USB-C Ports

Long school days, trips and revision events are easier to handle when staff can keep essential devices charged away from a socket. This Anker power bank has a 25,000mAh capacity, triple 100W USB-C ports, two built-in USB-C cables and a USB-A port, allowing up to four compatible devices to be charged at once.

Back to school items for sixth form teachers

NIIMBOT B1 Bluetooth Label Maker

Department folders, coursework boxes and shared storage are easier to manage when labels can be made quickly from a phone, tablet or computer. This NIIMBOT B1 thermal label maker uses Bluetooth, supports 20-50mm label widths and comes with one roll of tape, making it useful for sixth-form subject bases, staff offices, files, equipment drawers and resource boxes.

Zebra Sarasa Retractable Gel Ink Rollerball Pens

Long marking sessions are less frustrating when ink flows smoothly and dries quickly. The linked Zebra Sarasa retractable gel rollerball has a 0.7mm nib and uses rapid-dry ink designed to reduce smudging and smearing, making it a useful sixth-form desk pen for essay annotation, planner notes, meeting records and written feedback.

Yale Small Value Safe

Staff offices and department bases sometimes need a controlled place for temporary storage of small items. This Yale small value safe has an 8.6 litre capacity, digital keypad entry, two mechanical override keys, LED status indicators and fixing bolts for wall or floor mounting, so it should sit within normal school procedures for keys, petty cash, paperwork and equipment.

De’Longhi Dedica Style Espresso Machine

A sixth-form centre or subject base with staff making coffee between duties, revision sessions and meetings may suit a compact espresso machine better than another kettle. This black De’Longhi Dedica Style machine has a 1 litre capacity, 15 bar pressure, adjustable cappuccino system for milk frothing and auto shut-off, making it a staffroom-style wishlist upgrade rather than a classroom essential.

BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light

Late-afternoon marking, planning and screen work can be more comfortable with a desk light that does not take up space beside papers and books. This BenQ ScreenBar Pro sits on a monitor, uses USB-C power, includes motion sensing, adjustable brightness and colour temperature, and is designed to light the desk area while reducing screen glare.

Anker USB C Hub with Ethernet

Laptop-based teaching becomes awkward when a single USB-C port has to handle screens, storage, network access and classroom peripherals. This Anker 8-in-1 hub includes HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C power delivery input, USB-C data, two USB-A data ports and microSD/SD card readers, giving sixth-form teachers a useful desk adaptor for study rooms, offices and teaching spaces.

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Back to school resources for teachers

• The DfE workload reduction toolkit brings together practical resources created by school leaders to help staff reduce avoidable workload around planning, marking, data, communications and everyday systems.
• Education Support’s teacher wellbeing toolkit offers a free set of resources to help teachers and education staff manage stress, set boundaries and start the school year with more confidence.
• Oak National Academy provides free, editable teaching resources for KS1 to KS4, including slides, worksheets, quizzes and curriculum plans for teachers preparing new lessons or filling gaps quickly.
• The Education Endowment Foundation Teaching and Learning Toolkit summarises evidence on classroom approaches, helping teachers and school leaders make informed decisions before buying new resources or changing routines.
• The EEF’s guidance on reteaching routines is useful at the start of term, with practical advice on how classroom habits, transitions and expectations can be taught rather than simply announced.
• Tes back-to-school resources include first-day activities, getting-to-know-you tasks, classroom jobs, expectation-setting ideas and activities made by teachers for the start of the academic year.
• BBC Teach offers free classroom clips, curriculum-linked videos and teaching ideas across primary and secondary subjects, useful for adding visual hooks to lessons and assemblies.
• The National Literacy Trust provides free literacy teaching resources for early years, primary and secondary settings, including reading activities, lesson ideas and materials to support whole-school literacy.
• Teach Computing supports primary and secondary computing teachers with free curriculum resources, lesson materials, training and guidance from KS1 through to A level.
• STEM Learning hosts thousands of free-to-access, quality-assured science, technology, engineering and maths resources, including lesson materials for practical work, classroom displays and STEM careers.
• CLEAPSS gives schools specialist guidance on safe and effective practical science, including activities, risk assessment support, student safety sheets and advice for laboratories and classrooms.
• The DfE digital and technology standards help schools review classroom technology, filtering, monitoring, cyber security, accessibility and IT support before investing in new digital equipment.
• The PSHE Association provides lesson plans for primary, secondary and sixth form teachers, covering statutory RSHE, mental health, bullying, personal safety, vaping, AI literacy and financial harms.
• The British Red Cross offers free primary and secondary resources for citizenship, PSHE and tutor time, including lesson plans, assemblies and quick activities linked to kindness and crisis response.
• Place2Be has mental health resources for schools, including class activities, assemblies, videos and tip sheets to help staff support pupil wellbeing at the start of term and beyond.
• Mentally Healthy Schools features practical guidance on helping pupils return after long holidays and key transitions, with a video and fact sheet for teachers supporting anxious children.
• Whole School SEND’s Teacher Handbook is a free reference resource for primary, secondary and specialist colleagues, covering inclusive classroom practice, whole-class approaches and subject-specific SEND guidance.
• The NSPCC’s online safety guidance for schools helps staff review e-safety policies, reporting procedures, safeguarding responsibilities and classroom responses to online risks.
• The UK Safer Internet Centre provides education resources for Safer Internet Day, with age-appropriate activities on smart technology, AI and safer online choices.
• Learning through Landscapes shares outdoor learning ideas and guidance for using school grounds, playgrounds and green spaces as practical teaching environments across the curriculum.